Geek Out: Nano Delivery of Cancer Prevention Compounds

Researchers at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (Georgia, USA), have discovered a more effective drug delivery system using nanotechnology that could one day significantly affect cancer prevention. Dong Moon Shin and colleagues encapsulated microscopic amounts of luteolin, a naturally-occurring antioxidant compound found abundantly in green vegetables, in a water-soluble polymer. When injected into mice, the nano-luteolin inhibited growth of lung cancer and head and neck cancer cells. Whereas large quantities of luteolin would need to be consumed to be effective, by concentrating the compound into a nanoparticle and making it easy to dissolve in water, researchers conclude nano-luteolin has immense potential for future human studies of chemoprevention – a technique currently in-use to help stop the recurrence of cancer in patients and reduce the risk of cancer in others. The study authors submit that: “Our results suggest that nanoparticle delivery of naturally-occurring dietary agents like luteolin has many advantages and may have potential application in chemoprevention in clinical settings.”